Vampire classification

The different types of vampires

In many films, TV shows and books, vampires are not always the same. Sure many are similar with similar traits and weaknesses but there are varieties out there. There are the beautiful romantic types like in Twilight, the dangerous ones or the downright feral and predator types.
This piece aims at listing and describing the different types of vampires that we are familiar with and want to date (maybe). Others we should definitely avoid for everyone's sake.

1. The Romantic Vampires
This is every tween girl's and woman's favourite type. The most famous class, these vampires have the most loyal and dedicated stream of fans, much like the most famous hot actor in Hollywood. The popularity of this classification has led many human women to seek that misunderstood vampire lover in hope that he could be 'the one'. This type is like the Byronic hero, abused, neglected and harbors dark secrets and issues. He probably killed some people in the past.

This type do fall in love with humans, the question is how long will the relationship last and in the end who gets to make the 'big decision'. This refers to will the human lover be turned?

The Romantic Vampire falls into several categories:

. Obsessed and compulsive: once this vampire meets 'the one', that's it. He can be a good lover but more on the stalker side. Once a human girl falls for him there's no leaving, together for ever is the phrase we're looking for here. Known specimen are: Edward Cullen, and Bill Compton

. In love with love: This type is more in love with the idea, they tend to leave once they grow bored, they seduce for fun and don't care about moral issues. They might look for 'excitement' elsewhere.
Known specimen are: Armand (The Vampire Chronicles), and Eric Northman

. Devoted and Disorderly: This kind is 'troubled' and has a troubled past, there might be a lot of issues in the relationship. They've also done terrible things in the past and unless cared for they will get violent and go on small tantrums or murderous rampages.  Known specimen are: Spike or 'William the Bloody', Damon Salvatore and Lestat (The Vampire Chronicles)

. Looking for love for all the wrong reasons: This type cries out 'I just wanna be loved!' This guy is moping around a lot, he did before as a human too. This guy is looking for someone to fill the void brought on by murder and sadness. They still cling to humanity and are looking for a good human woman who can forgive them for their past sins. Known specimen: Louis de Pointe du Lac (The Vampire Chronicles)

. The Real Thing: This type is simply perfect, in a relationship you will find, love, trust and understanding. They've got their heart in the right place, despite being a bit rough around the edges. This type is rare. Known specimen: Esme Cullen (Twilight) Carlisle Cullen (Twilight), Angel and Mae (Near Dark)

2. Tragic Vampires
Many fans are very familiar with the tortured soul type, we do love the the tale of woe of the creature who has it all but is haunted by his unholy existence. There are so many of this type everywhere now.
They walk alone in their own darkness, they're not always suicidal and struggle with their addiction to human blood. They try very hard to not kill their victims and to control their bloodlust.
We tend to understand and sympathize with them but we should still consider that these guys are very hungry and have killed people before because they 'lost control'.
This type is not great at conversations, he will ramble on about his tragic past, his addiction, how he deals with it and how he's looking for redemption. He will will mostly be looking for ways to keep his hunger at bay and taking up fighting evil to save his soul or blindly believing that he will be redeemed. His favorite book is Interview with the Vampire, he will tell you that this novel is just like his 'life story'. They feel the need to talk because it's therapeutic for them.

Sometimes they won't talk at all and refuse to tell you about their past which makes the relationship even more difficult.

Real undead heroes
As mentioned before, they still want to cling to humanity and seek redemption so they'll become superheroes and destroy evil. They possess extraordinary powers so why not put it to good use? If they become vigilantes then they must stay hidden and seek no publicity whatsoever because let's face it, their species kill humans and the population might not be so Okay with meeting a vampire superhero. Saving the world is their new goal, they seek creatures that the human population is unaware of: other monsters. These vampire heroes know where to look. They might get help from humans especially for day time things.
Major example: Angel with his agency Angel investigations and law firm.

Romantic and tragic
Yes the tragic vampire can also be tragic. This type is miserable because they are very much in love with another, that love might be impossible. They suffer from unrequited or doomed love and they might be mentally unstable.

Known specimen:

. Faking it: though they promise that they won't drink from humans, they lose control and that's tragic.
Examples: Laurent (Twilight) and Barnabas Collins (Dark Shadows)

. Needs to love thyself: almost bi-polar, they seek comfort from loved ones but end up murdering them. If they could deal with their past sins and just love themselves, they'd be happier. Examples: Louis de Pointe du Lac, Jasper Hale (Twilight) and Miriam Blaylock (The Hunger)

. Conscientious killer: they know that killing is wrong but still do it, they are not going to try and stop themselves. They'll make sure that their victims die quickly and with no pain. Example: Eli (Let the Right One in)

. The heroes: these guys as mentioned earlier, want to get redemption by saving the human race or not attacking it. Their diet will mostly be animal blood. Examples: Angel and the Vegan vampire clan (Supernatural)

Jasper

Miriam

Barnabas Collins

Eli

Angel








3. Child Vampires
It's pretty horrific to see innocent looking children turned into vampires, it's downright creepy. The smallest of the vampire kind, vampire children are very thirsty and extremely deadly. They are rarely tolerated in both human and vampire society.

We tend to take pity on those little ones who look helpless and innocent, but we know that they must feed on blood in order to survive.

Usually vampires are often teenagers, young adults even older adults but not often children. The whole 'reproduction' in vampire covens happen when one vampire turns another human. That 'newborn' refers to his maker as 'master' or 'father/mother' or in Buffy they call the vampire maker a 'sire'. These vampire makers would refer to the newborns as their children. Sometimes there is a patriarchal or matriarchal relationship between the creator vamp and his offspring.

It is frowned upon and taboo to create vampire children in vampire society and human society. Most vampires think it is unfair to force a young person into a life of a bloodsucker when said youngling will not understand the weight of his/her actions. It is not only unfair but also uncomfortable to see a child trapped inside a small body forever while the mind will mature.

The most famous example is the little girl Claudia from Interview with the Vampire. She was found by Louis and turned by Lestat at the age of five. The character was marvelously played by Kirsten Dunst when she was only 12. Her character still sends shivers down many fans spines still to this day.

 Both vampires and humans see vampire children as abominations. Lestat wasn't thinking of the consequences when he turned her, he only did it so that Louis wouldn't leave him. In the end she is destroyed by the Parisian vampires. Many vampire children are eventually destroyed because their creation goes against the rules of vampire covens. The Volturi in the Twilight novels outlaw the creation of immortal children and will destroy them. They did so because, the children were impulsive and uncontrollable, their acts were putting the vampire's existence at risk. Covens were devoted to those children and protected them. The Volturi would destroy the children and severely punish the family, they would be forced to destroy an entire coven devoted to an immortal child.

Mummy issues
One possible reason why  vampires are uncomfortable around vampire children is because of the Oedipus complexes they have. Vampires even if they are no longer human tend to cling to their mothers. So bringing in another 'disturbed child' into their community isn't such a good idea.  The vampire Lestat loves his mum, Gabrielle, so much that he turned her as she was dying of illness. After some happy moments together, they grew apart. Spike did exactly the same thing, he turned his dying mother but once she was turned she refused to go with him and insulted him. He was forced to destroy her. Interesting how when human both these women were loving and caring mothers and once they turn into vamps they seem to express their frustrations and most dark thoughts they had towards their sons. Once they are turned they no longer feel the motherly instinct and feel liberated.

Child vampire behavior
Vampire children are creepy things who can easily drop the innocent look and turn on you when you least expect it. They are accidents waiting to happen, in the Twilight series they are described as being beautiful but also exhibit childish behaviors, such as impulsive acts, tantrums and irresponsible activities. Their bodies are frozen at the age they were turned and they will forever look like children. Some vampire children have minds that continue to mature and they can become angry and frustrated at their existence, they may become jealous of the other 'adult vampires'.

Known specimens:

. Wild Child:  These children seriously lack self control, they'll kill anything in their path for food or pure instinct. Examples: Danny Glick from Salem's Lot and the little girl in 30 Days of Night.

. Young face, old mind: A bit calmer than the 'wild children' these vampires are very intelligent because their minds have matured. They are masters of murder and manipulation.  Sometimes these children vampires were created by a coven with some purpose or in some spiritual rite; to become some kind of leader or god.  Some of these children are reincarnations of evil ancient ones and they find it very interesting to hide their unholy powers into bodies of young innocent looking children. Though they can become kings or gods, they still need powerful bodyguards.
Examples: Claudia from Interview with the Vampire, Eli from Let the Right One In, Homer fromNear Dark, The Anointed one (Colin) from Buffy the vampire slayer, Nikolaos from Guilty Pleasures.

. Just a kid: Unfortunately some children are not completely turned and only in the in-between stage. They were 'chosen' to be servants or used to lure other potential victims. They struggle with cravings and suffer from wanting to be out during the day and the night. They don't exhibit the weakness yet as they are not  full vampires. They are still kids and will still age until they give in to their thirst for blood.
Example: Laddie from The Lost Boys

Halfies

The best example is Reneesmee Cullen from Twilight Breaking Dawn. She was born from Bella while she was still human. Unfortunately while growing in the womb, she slowly drained her mother of life and strength, rejecting human food and accepting blood when Bella drank some. Bella gave birth and was dying, but luckily got injected with venom and turned. While Bella was transforming Reneesmee was taken care of by Rosalie and Jake imprinted on her. In the end Bella met her lovely daughter who grew at a very fast rate. Though she is a halfie she can survive on human food. The Volturi learned of her existence and thinking she was a vampire child sought to destroy her. But they changed their minds when they realized what she really was and met another child like her named Nahuel, who was discovered living in the jungles of South America.

Another halfie is Nothing from the novel Lost Souls, who was born in similar circumstances like Reneesmee, a mortal mother and killing his mother during the birth. It's debatable if Nothing is really a halfie as most vampires in the novel are created in this way.

Claudia

Girl from 30 Days of Night

Homer in Near Dark

Reneesmee Cullen



















Nahuel










5. Villainous Vampires

The most dangerous vampires ever, who kill to feed. Some might look beautiful but looks are deceiving others just look monstrous. Some may live in covens or chose solitary lives. If they are sensitive to sunlight they sometimes chose human servants to help them find hiding places and human victims. They look like anybody or some more monstrous types have long pointy blade-like fingers, huge fangs, multiple fangs or weird mouth mutations. They have powers like mind control, super speed and strength. Luckily they often possess the typical vampire weaknesses.

Known specimens:

. Big Bad: these vampires are usually hundreds of years old. They do not care for humankind, they are cold, cruel and unpredictable. These big bosses sometimes have 'plans' for the human race, total human annihilation.  Examples: Count Orlok from Nosferatu, The Master fromBuffy the Vampire Slayer, Max from The Lost Boys, Drake from Blade Trinity, Kurt Barlow from Salem's Lot, Akasha fromThe Vampire Chronicles, Jerry Dandrige from Fright Night, Dracula, The Master from The Strain

. Angry Immortals: These guys have horrible behavior, they don't care about rules. They can go quickly into a state of pure rage or look for excuses to torture and kill to satisfy their sadistic desires.
Examples: Severen from Near Dark, David from The Lost Boys, James from Twilight, Marlow from 30 Days of Night, Angelus from  Buffy, Deacon Frost from Blade.

. Beautiful but deadly:  These vampires are good looking and gorgeous, using their looks to lure unsuspecting prey and do not care for emotions like love.
Examples: Drusilla from Buffy, Darla from Buffy, Lucy Westenra from Dracula, Danica Talos from Blade Trinity, Santanico Pandemonium from From Dusk Till Dawn, Victoria from the first three Twilight books, Diamondback from Near Dark, Miriam Blaylock from The Hunger.

. Monsters:
These vampires are sometimes new mutations or hybrids. The most famous example is from the crazy and wonderful mind of Guillermo del Toro. In his movie Blade II, the vampires have mutated into vigorous hunters. They possess three-way jaws with leech like suckers and hearts encased in a thick layer of bone. They are ravenous and infect their victims. Guillermo del Toro collaborated with Chuck Hogan and wrote the popular vampire novel series The Strain. The vampires in the novel are a bit similar to the ones in Blade II, they have stingers to inject their prey with paralyzing venom and suck the blood. In their bodies live blood worms that infect the victims and turn them. The novel focuses mostly on a vampire/virus infestation almost like I Am Legend, except that there are still some human survivors in the novels.

The Master from Buffy

Angelus











Drake from Blade Trinity

The Reaper vampire from Blade II










References:

. Woerner, Meredith (2009) Vampire Taxonomy: Identifying and Interacting with the Modern Day Bloodsucker. A Pedigee Book, Penguin Book, New York

. Meyer, Stephenie (2011) The Twilight Saga: The official illustrated guide. Little Brown and Company, Hachette Book Group, New York